New, slimmer Xbox Wireless Adapter now available in the U.S.

Six months after it was first announced, Microsoft's new, slimmer Xbox Wireless Adapter is now up for grabs in the U.S. The new stick, which sports a much smaller profile than its predecessor, is available for $24.99 in the Microsoft Store (via The Verge).

The original Xbox Wireless Adapter, released in 2015, was rather large and unwieldy, making it sometimes difficult to fit alongside other USB dongles and downright comical-looking when plugged into something like an Ultrabook. The newer adapter is 66 percent smaller than the original, which should make for a much better fit for most setups.

Like the prior version, the new Xbox Wireless Adapter supports Microsoft's proprietary "Xbox Wireless" communication protocol, allowing you to add it to any PC. With support for up to eight connections on a single device, you can use the adapter to connect your existing wireless Xbox One controllers to your PC setup. That's not likely a concern for anyone taking advantage of the Bluetooth connectivity on newer Xbox One controllers. However, the adapter is a solid solution for anyone using older devices or controllers without Bluetooth.

It's worth noting that this new adapter only works with Windows 10, so you'll have to stick with the older version if you're using a Windows 8 or 7 PC. However, if you want to grab one for yourself, the adapter is now available for $24.99. And for more, check out our hands-on review for a deeper dive on the new adapter's design and performance.